Severe infectious keratitis in tropical environments: 118 cases collected over 10 years

Médecine et santé tropicales
S M SeckN N Gueye

Abstract

The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical, microbiological, and contributing factors of microbial keratitis in tropical environment. Materiel and methods: We performed a retrospective study of all patients admitted to the ophthalmology department of Principal Hospital in Dakar for infectious keratitis, over ten years from January 2006 to December 2015. Clinical, microbiological, and contributing factors as well as visual effects were studied. We collected data of 118 patients hospitalized for unilateral infectious keratitis in 10 years, for an average of 12 cases per year. The patients' mean age was 50 years. At least one local risk factor was found in 58.5% of cases. These were mainly ocular trauma (39%), followed by local treatment of glaucoma (16%), and recent eye surgery (14.5%). In 9 cases (8%), the only risk factor for abscess was an isolated general factor. This was diabetes in 7 cases. The clinical aspects described can be grouped according to topography, depth, and severity in pre-perforation state or perforation (45%), anterior chamber Tyndall effect greater than 1 cross, reaching a hypopyon stage (24%), stromal infiltrate larger than 2 mm (18%) and the abscess located within 3 mm of the corneal center (13%). ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.